P/Q type calcium-channel antibodies in paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration with lung cancer

Neurology. 2002 Sep 10;59(5):764-6. doi: 10.1212/wnl.59.5.764.

Abstract

Raised levels of P/Q type voltage-gated calcium-channel (VGCC) antibodies were found in 16 (41%) of 39 patients with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) and Hu antibodies were found in nine (23%). Seven of the 16 VGCC antibody-positive patients had Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). Seven of 15 CSF samples had VGCC antibodies, with evidence of intrathecal synthesis in four. VGCC antibodies should be looked for in PCD, even if there are no symptoms of LEMS, and may be related to the cerebellar dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Autoantibodies / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Biomarkers
  • Calcium Channels, N-Type / immunology*
  • Cerebellum / immunology
  • ELAV Proteins
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / immunology
  • Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration / etiology
  • Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration / immunology*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / immunology
  • Rats

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Biomarkers
  • Calcium Channels, N-Type
  • ELAV Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • voltage-dependent calcium channel (P-Q type)